Dr. Nicholas J. Contorno

Marquette University Director of Bands and Orchestra

     Dr. Nicholas J. Contorno is currently Director of Bands and Orchestra at Marquette University.  He received his Bachelor and Master's degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and the Doctor of Musical Arts in Composition from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  

     He began his teaching career as an Instrumental Music teacher in the Glendale (WI) Public Schools and also served as Director of Bands at Dominican High School in Whitefish

Bay, WI.  In 1968 he accepted the position of Music Curriculum Supervisor and Director of Bands at Marquette University.  

     Dr. Contorno is an A.S.C.A.P. award winning composer and arranger, and is represented in the catalogs of C.L. Barnhouse, Bourne, Hal Leonard, Jenson, Pro-Art and Global Musical Interests Publications.

     As an active professional musician, he has performed with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra; Holiday on Ice Orchestra; Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus Band; Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra and Les Elgart Orchestra.  He also has performed with many national shows and artists, including "Annie", "42nd Street", Linda Ronstadt, Natalie Cole, Manhattan Transfer, Vic Damone, Johnny Mathis, Dinah Shore, Mel Torme, The Four Lads, and Sonny & Cher, to mention a few.  

     Dr. Contorno also has been a guest soloist/conductor/adjuster/clinician with many school bands in Wisconsin, as well as in Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, New York, Nevada,

and the People's Republic of China.

     He is listed in "Leaders of Secondary Education" (1972), "World's Who's Who of Musicians" (1977), and "Encyclopedia of Band Composers" (1991).

     His many honors include the Hugo Anhalt Music Achievement Award (1973); Commendation from the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors (1979); National Band Association Outstanding Jazz Educator award (1982); University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Music Alumni Achievement Award (1990); and the Milwaukee Police Department Chief of Police Superior Achievement Award (1992).

     Dr. Contorno also holds memberships in numerous professional organizations, such as the American Federation of Musicians, Local 8, Phi Beta MU, the National Band Association, the Sonneck Society, the Wisconsin Bandmasters Association, and the Phi MU AlphaSinfonia.  He has recently been named to the board of directors of the Goldman Memorial Band of New York City.

     In addition, he has been the musical coordinator of Festa Italiana-Milwaukee, WI from 1982 to 1998, and is currently the Musical Director/Conductor of the Milwaukee Concert Band.